[Tia Maria]

My youngest was born in NZ and has both NZ & UK passport. I seem to recall someone saying you could register their birth so they could get a UK birth certificate, can't find the thread now.

Anyone know what I'm talking about, or did I imagine it all?

Cheers

Tia

[jubjub]

Not a clue, but if you find out then I better sort AJ out too.

I thought if they got the passprt that was enough?

[Rusty]

Not sure if you can?
When I registered my son 14 months ago, I had to do it in the disctrict he was born. I don't know how you get around this if not born here?
Hope you can prove me wrong though.

[Jo Jo]

Yes, you can. Information here (http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/births/registeringbabiesbornabroad/index.asp) and here (http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/births/registeringbabiesbornabroad/birth4a.asp).

But I don't know anything about the process...

[dharder]

I haven't done it, so can't speak from personal experience. My children were born in the UK, but have the German citzenship as well. Registering their birth (obtaining a German birth certificate) would have been a lengthy and expensive process, and actually not strictly necessary. They all have German passports, the English birth certificates were fine for that.

In case of doubt, I'd give the general register people a call/email, I've always found them to be very friendly and helpful (had lots of dealings with them earlier last year).

good luck,

Daniela

[CatherineP]

Our son was born in NZ 16 months ago and we also wanted to get him a UK Birth Certificate. He has a NZ Birth Cert and NZ and UK passports. We were told by the British High Commission in Wellington and the ?? department in the UK that you could no longer do this/needed to do this if the child was automatically a British Citizen (born abroad) and parents also British Citizens.

It did cause confusion when we opened a UK Bank Account for him during a recent visit as they didn't believe that the typed A4 sheet of paper with no Crest on it was actually a Birth Certificate!!!!!!!

Catherine

[Tia Maria]

Catherine wrote:

It did cause confusion when we opened a UK Bank Account for him during a recent visit as they didn't believe that the typed A4 sheet of paper with no Crest on it was actually a Birth Certificate!!!!!!!

Thanks, this is one of the reasons we want a certificate as his gran would like to open an account for him in the UK and I thought it would be easier to do this with a UK birth certificate as I didn't expect bank staff to be familiar with other kinds. In fact she had to speak to 5 different people to convince them he could have an account even though he was born overseas, a fact that was stated on their website but obviously not passed onto their staff!

Thanks for the links Jo Jo I will check them out. :nice1

I'm pretty sure you use to be able to but I had heard of a tightening up over these matters so maybe CatherineP is right and its something you can no longer do. I'll email them and let you all know the result.

By the way Catherine, its interesting to hear the High Commission has a ?? department :laugh

Cheers

Tia

[nippa&pippa]

My parents just opened account in UK for Eliot who born in NZ 4months ago. All they need a certified copy of birth certificate that done by your local NZ bank.
hth

[Jo Jo]

My advice is that if you can get a British birth certificate for your child, then do, as, unbelievably, a British passport alone may not be enough to ensure that their British citizenship is recognised in the future if the passport is allowed to lapse.

[dharder]

My advice is that if you can get a British birth certificate for your child, then do, as, unbelievably, a British passport alone may not be enough to ensure that their British citizenship is recognised in the future if the passport is allowed to lapse.

Just out of interest, really, the British birth certificate in itself doesn't say anything about your citizenship, does it? I have heard the NZ one does, but haven't seen one, but there is no mention of nationality in the British one.

But I agree, if it isn't a big deal, I'd probably go for one, too. It seems to be fairly straightforward to get a British one, and the website appears to give you all the information. I haven't bothered getting the children a German one, the whole thing would take ages cost a fortune in translations, and has no bearing on their citizenship either way.

Daniela

[Tia Maria]

Nope they don't do it anymore unless you are in the armed forces:


From Birth, Marriages & Deaths:

As the birth occurred in New Zealand, I'm afraid we cannot consular register the birth. Your son will only have a New Zealand birth certificate. This does not affect his claim to British nationality.

Regards,

BMD Enquiries

From the Home Office (I believe in being thorough!):


Thank you for your email.

If your son has a British passport then this means that he is a British Citizen and no further action needs to be taken.

Yours faithfully,

Cheers

Tia

PS Errr I'd hoped for something more exciting for my 1000th post, oh well at least it might help someone!

[dharder]

Ah, and I thought registering the birth in the UK would have meant getting a British birth certificate.

You live and learn. Not that it matters for us anymore, four is quite enough :)

And I will get round to talking to my sister one of these days about the pregnancy/birth experiences in the various countries, if you would still like me to, Tia, just strangely enough, summer holidays don't seem to be the time for quiet phone conversations...

Daniela

[jubjub]

Very thorough, thanks Tia... would give you rep, but I need to spread it about a bit first....

[Tia Maria]

PS Barnacles ;)

Cheers

Tia

[BigRod]

Cheers Tia,

Oh well at least it means that yet another UK Civil Servant won't be holding their hand out wanting even more dosh! But thanks for the confirmation of your experience being in line with whats on the fco pages.

Rod